Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-09-29
Variety of Food For Hogs.

cneapeSG IN dGer1al that can DE USED 1Ol
making pork in the western states ap
pears to be demonstrated beyond 6
doubt. Several farmers in central Hi
nois have reported that they are able tC
make pound Of pork from ten pounds
of corn, or six pounds from every bushe
fed to their hogs. If they rise 20 bush els
of corn on an acre of land they obtain
42O pounds'of pork, worth at cents pei
pound $21. This is more than can be
realized for any kind of small grain
The fertility of the soil is soon exhaust
ed when successive crops of small grain
are raised on it. Such is not the case
however, if corn is raised, fed TO hogs
on the place, and the manure they make
applied to the land. A crop of corn can
be raised and harvested without the ne
cessity of paying out much money. The
seed costs bat trife, and there is no bill
for the use of harvester or thrashing-
machine. A corn crop can be produced
by the use of the labor and implements
that almost every farmer has. Pork can
be sent to market much cheaper than
small grain.
A prairie farm chiefly devoted to rails
ing corn and feeding it to hogs Is very
cheaply fitted up, stocked, and managed.
It costs but little to make shelter for
hogs that will keep them dry and warm.
A fair crop of corn can be raised on new
breaking. Old ground intended for pro
ducing corn can be plOwed IN the fall or
the following spring. Almost any kind
of manure is beneficial to a corn crop.
The planting of corn can be delayed
much longer than the sowing of small
grains. The work of cultivation can be
performed by variety of implements.
Hands that are less skillful than those
required to raise many crops can plant,
cultivate, and harvest corn. But few
fences are required on farm devoted to
raising corn and feeding hogs. Hogs
multiply so rapidly and mature so quick
ly that it does not take long time to
stock farm with them or to realize
money from them. In these respects
they possess great advantages over cattle
and horses. A farmer who has but small
means can not engage in most kinds of
stock-raising, but he can raise hogs by
producing the corn for feeding to them.
Still it has become obvious that raising
hogs on diet of corn has been produc-
tive of unfavorable results. An exclusive
corn diet does net produce the requisite
proportions of bone and muscle in ami
mails. 1t contains too much carbon and
not enough nitrogen. Breeding sows
that eat little or nothing except corn are
pork mothers. They generally produce
but small filters of pigs, and they give
but little milk. Pigs brought up on corn
alone appear to have but little vitality
They are not as lively as those that en-
Joy the privileges of a free range and
eat a variety of food. They appear to be
more likely to contract disease. The hog
has become more delicate since it was
kept in pens and has had corn brought to
his trough. During the past few years
diseases have been more common and
more generally fatal among hogs, than
among horses, cattle, or sheep. On this
account many farmers have abandoned
pork-raising Or keep only enough hogs
to supply their households with meat
They do not dare take the risks that at
tend keeping large numbers of hogs and
feeding them the corn they raise.
The most successful hog raisers now
advocate the substitution of other grains
and vegetables for half the corn they for
merIy fed, and they rely chiefly on corn
for making fat but they give their hogs
bran, shorts, ground rye, oats and barley,
boiled potatoes, roots, apples, pumpkins
and squashes. They find the health and
general condition of their hogs better
when they are allowed a change of food
They are better breeders and the SOW
gives more milk. The pork produced is
not as fat as that made from corn, but it
is generally preferred. There is less
leaf-lard bat more meat that is suitable
for making bacon. The hogs are more
active and take more exercise. For this
reason their circulation and digestion are
better. If they do not mature as quickly
the risks of keeping them are less. It is
admitted that the cost of feeding them is
somewhat greater, as it costs consider
able to grind the small grains, and to
cook the potatoes and other vegetables.
A more diversified system of farming is
required if many hogs are kept on place
and corn only furnishes half the food
that is given them.
1t is obvious that some substitute for
corn must be found in many portions of
the country that are now being settled
up. Much of the territory adapted to
the profitable production of corn is al
ready In the hands of individuals who
have approved it. What is known as the
corn belt is somewhat narrow and it does
not reach across the continent. The far
mers who make homes in these regions
will find it difficult to get along without
raising hogs. They will at first miss
corn, but they will at length discover that
they can make the production of pork
profitable without it. They will follow
the example of farmers in Canada, Great
Britain and Germany, who make pork by
raising rye, barley, oats, potatoes and
roots and feeding them to hogs. Should
general drouth continue many more
years IN portions of the corn belt the far
mers who live in it will be obliged to give
up keeping hogs on an extensive scale OF
to lind kind of food for them differ
ent from what they have been accustomed
to use.
A Loyal WOman's Tact.
A well known poet of Spain, says let
ter IN The NaU York SuO daServeGlV fa-